Devin Booker is only a junior and it seems like he's already got every individual award you can attain in high school basketball, but Thursday's Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year honor stands out for the Moss Point guard.

“This is probably one of the biggest awards I've gotten so far,” Booker said. “Gatorade is such a big company and they only take one player out of the state. I'm just blessed to be picked with all the great players in the state.”

Moss Point coach Micoe Cotton also believes that the Gatorade honor is a special one considering the Tigers finished 12-16 this season.

“I think it is (special) with the season that we had,” Cotton said. “When I look at it, it's just the work that he puts in. I see that he puts so much work into everything he does. His vision of where he's going is so much higher than most average kids. He's above average. It's a very special award and tribute to the effort he put in.”

Booker, who averaged 29.7 points this season, is hoping to compete in the McDonald's and Jordan All-American games this summer.

He recently made visits to Duke, North Carolina, Florida, Michigan and Michigan State. He has scholarship offers from all five schools.

“They were all great schools and all had great atmospheres,” Booker said. “I was happy to get to see it for myself and to talk to the coaches. Watching a game on TV, it's not the same as watching it in person.”

About Keeping Score

Sports writer Patrick Magee covers Southern Miss and East Jackson County high schools for the Sun Herald. His blog hits on topics that range from USM-related news to keeping up with the top prep teams and players in South Mississippi.